HURRICANES

Okaloosa County shares Hurricane Preparedness Resources

Okaloosa County has produced a limited supply of Okaloosa County Hurricane Guides. For convenience, the hurricane guides have been distributed to various pickup locations across the county.

• As hurricane season began June 1 and ends November 30, the county published an online version on June 1, which will remain available year-round at myokaloosa.com.

“Preparedness is key to successfully weathering the storm,” said April Sarver, Public Information Officer for the county. “Residents are encouraged to download the online resource to their device or print one to use as a guide before, during and after the storm.”

• Find the publication at myokaloosa.com/ps/emergency-management.

While supplies last, physical copies of the publication will be available at all six area libraries in the Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative, and also at:

• Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce
• Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce
• Niceville Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce
• Destin Chamber of Commerce
• Destin City Hall
• Crestview City Hall
• Okaloosa County Extension Office at 3098 Airport Road in Crestview
• And the two offices of Okaloosa County Board of County Commissioners at 1250 Eglin Parkway, Suite 100 in Shalimar and 302 N. Wilson Street, Suite 302 in Crestview.  

PROTEST

Protestors in Fort Walton Beach march against Roe v. Wade reversal

by Gabe Rosenblatt

On Tuesday, June 28, 2022, hundreds gathered at The Landing Park in downtown Fort Walton Beach to protest the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

• The protesters made their way east along Brooks Street toward Highway 98 and marched in front of the downtown shops before looping back onto Brooks Street toward the Landing.

The march was organized by resident Oli Tuel, and featured congressional candidates Rebekah Jones and Peggy Schiller.

“We, as these young people, see these laws that have already been in place for us all of our lives and I think a lot of these people are genuinely scared because they don’t know what happens next,” said Tuel.

In a separate interview by WEAR-TV, Rebekah Jones says she was amazed by the turnout with only a 24-hour notice. 

• “Oli started organizing this yesterday,” said Jones. “Fort Walton Beach is represented here, Destin, Navarre, we even have folks from Pensacola and Panama City Beach here. It’s a big moment.”

“This is a movement that I hope has stamina,” she continued. “This is my state and I want to make sure that every single woman here is given the right to decide what to do with her future and her body, that’s what the fight is about.”

CAN’T PARK HERE

Destin adopts resolution increasing maximum fees for vehicle towing

by Tyler Luong

Following Monday night’s city council meeting on June 20, the City of Destin has adopted Resolution 22-09, raising the maximum towing charges for tows occurring on private property or are non-consensual. 

• The updated rates are effective immediately.

By law, the City is required to revise this resolution “from time to time.” Formerly known as Resolution 15-02, it was last amended in 2015.

In accordance with the newly-amended resolution, the fees for towing and storage have increased by $25 and are as follows:

Private Property Towing

• No more than $150 per vehicle for Class A vehicles (vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less)
• No more than $225 per vehicle for Class B vehicles (vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more but less than 20,000 pounds) 
• No more than $325 per vehicle for Class C vehicles (vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 20,000 pounds or more but less than 58,000 pounds)

Private Property Storage

• The First Six Hours: $0
• Every Day After the First Six Hours: $50 per day
• Administrative Fee (vehicles stored longer than 48 hours): $60

Non-consensual Towing & Storage

• Class A Vehicles
  • Base Rate: $175
  • Mileage Rate: $5 every additional mile after the first 10 miles
  • Hourly Rate: $120 after the first 30 minutes at the scene
  • Inside Storage (vehicle is stored for more than six hours): $100 per day
  • Outside Storage (vehicle is stored for more than six hours): $75 per day
  • Administrative Fee (vehicles stored longer than 48 hours): $80

• Class B Vehicles
  • Base Rate: $200
  • Mileage Rate: $5 every additional mile after the first 10 miles
  • Hourly Rate: $120 after the first 30 minutes at the scene
  • Inside Storage (vehicle is stored for more than six hours): $105 per day
  • Outside Storage (vehicle is stored for more than six hours): $75 per day

• Class C Vehicle
  • Base Rate: $325
  • Mileage Rate: $8 every additional mile after the first 10 miles
  • Hourly Rate: $190 after the first 30 minutes at the scene
  • Inside Storage (vehicle is stored for more than six hours): $115 per day
  • Outside Storage (vehicle is stored for more than six hours): $95 per day

Remobilization

• No more than $50 per vehicle (Class A, B, or C)
  • There is no additional fee charged for the removal of the immobilization device

PROMOTED BY OKALOOSA GAS

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast celebrate National BGC Week

On June 27 – July 1, 2022, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast are inviting the community to join them for the National Boys & Girls Club Week to show their support of the Club and its impact on the community. 

• This special celebration offers the general public the opportunity to experience the life-changing programs the Boys & Girls Club offers to children and teens along Florida’s Emerald Coast. 

“Day in and day out, our Boys & Girls Club staff deliver quality experiences that make a difference in a youth’s life beyond their time at the Club,” said Shervin Rassa, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. “Research shows that kids who attend their local Boys & Girls Club regularly are also more likely to have positive self-esteem, volunteer, and be engaged in school.”

• Rassa added that National Boys & Girls Club Week is a special time when his organization  welcomes the community to witness the amazing impact Clubs have on the lives of kids and teens.

As part of the week, around 4,700 Boys & Girls Clubs across America and on U.S. military installations worldwide will host weeklong celebrations featuring the many ways that the Boys and Girls Clubs are doing whatever it takes to help youth stay on track. Many of the week’s celebrations will focus on our ability to provide safe places, academic support, workforce readiness, and health and wellness programs.

“The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast does an excellent job carrying out their mission and vision in our communities,” said Jenni Brunson, Okaloosa Gas Public Relations Specialist. “Their commitment to the youth inspires them to dream big while providing the tools required to achieve their goals.”

The services offered are not only educational – they also provide safe and inclusive socialization activities that allow the kids to organically develop their confidence among peers. 

• “There are numerous ways for community members and businesses to get involved with this organization and help the members reach their full potential as they prepare to become future leaders in our communities,” added Brunson.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast has activities planned all week and has already had a busy few days. Here’s a look at what they are doing.

WATERWAYS SAFETY

Operation Dry Water intensifies in anticipation of 4th of July Festivities

by Tyler Luong

As the Fourth of July and other summer celebrations draw near, Operation Dry Water is once again doubling-down its efforts to curb dangerous boating behavior and accidents.

• Established by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, in conjunction with the United States Coast Guard, Operation Dry Water is a nationwide, year-round campaign committed to raising awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence.

Since its inception in 2009, Operation Dry Water has had great success in educating the public on boating under the influence and serving as a deterrent and enforcer to those who break the law. 

However, 2022 has already proven to be more dangerous than the year before, with Independence Day and the second-half of the year still to come.

This year alone, the counties of Okaloosa, Walton, Escambia, and Santa Rosa have had 35 reported incidents of boating accidents and six fatalities. For comparison, 2021 had only 14 reported boating accidents and two reported fatalities.

The Fourth of July celebrations are one of the most bustling holiday weekends in the country. It is also when the number of boating accidents and BUIs reaches its peak.

• Last year in the surrounding areas of Florida, the month of July had 79 reported boating accidents, 53 injuries, two fatalities, and over a million dollars in property damage.

According to NASBLA, alcohol consumption is the top factor contributing to recreational boating deaths. 

“BUI is dangerous. Last year in Florida, 23% of fatal accidents were related to alcohol and drug use,” said Lt. Col. Greg Eason of the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. “There’s more than one million registered vessels in the state of Florida, and there’s also more than one million unregistered vessels in the state of Florida.”

According to Sgt. Kyle Corbitt, a Marine Unit Supervisor for the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, a record number of boaters on the water is expected for this year’s holiday weekend.

As such, the FWC and other local law enforcement agencies will be assisting during the Operation Dry Water Heightened Awareness and Enforcement Weekend from July 2-4.

“During Operation Dry Water, OCSO, U.S. Coast Guard, and FWC will have between 10 and 12 law enforcement vessels at any given time each day patrolling the waterways of Okaloosa County,” said Sgt. Corbitt. “Of course, a big focus to us is Crab Island, Santa Rosa Sound, all the bayous, but we’re gonna have boats spread throughout all the county waterways.”

Operation Dry Water is also calling on the community to help keep our waters safe.

“We also want to encourage the general public to understand that they can report impaired boaters while they’re out there on the water through our texting app or also by calling 1-888-404-FWCC,” said Lt. Col. Eason. “And they can remain anonymous. We won’t divulge who they are if they’ll call and give us the information relating to the impaired operator, they’ll be eligible for a cash reward between 250 and $600.”

REAL ESTATE

$25 million home sells in Miramar Beach, most expensive in the region

The Premier Property Group has announced the $25 million record-breaking sale of an expansive, compound-style Gulf front estate in Miramar Beach, Fla.

The transaction of the 10.78-acre property (10181 US Hwy 98) – which is situated along Florida’s famed Emerald Coast – has set a new benchmark for the region as the highest price ever paid for a single-family home in the Florida Panhandle. 

• The property was previously sold in 2020 for $16.1 million, which broke the record at that time.

The current residence, known as the Pennington Estate, was originally built in 2000 as a vacation retreat for the Pennington oil family. 

The home encompasses 13,230 square feet and features six bedrooms and eight full baths. In addition to 270 feet of beachfront, the property has sweeping, unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico and a private, winding drive flanked by foliage.